There is a range of community care services available to older people, all intended to help frail older people and those with a disability to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible. Services include Community Aged Care Packages, Extended Aged Care at Home Packages, and a broad range of services under the Home & Community Care Program.

Southern Cross care offers Community Aged Care Packages (CACPs) in a number of locations.

Under CACPs people can access low level aged care in their home for assistance in personal care, domestic assistance and the like. CACPs are very flexible. Subject to individual need the types of services may include personal care, social support, transport to appointments, home help, meal preparation and/or gardening.

Southern Cross Care also provides an Emergency Call system and a smoke detector for your home.

Further information is available from Community Aged Care Packages (CACPs)

Older people or people with a disability can use these services if the services are assessed as being appropriate for the person's needs

Before anyone can access Community Aged Care Packages their health, social and personal needs must be assessed by an Aged Care Assessment Team (made up of health professionals).

Most people are referred to an Aged Care Assessment Team directly by their doctor, community nurse or social worker but if they wish they may approach their nearest Team directly (through their local hospital, the State Health Department or the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing - control click on LINK to see information.

After visiting and talking with the person the Team assesses whether they are eligible for community care or there are other options more suited to their needs. If community care seems appropriate the Team will decide on the level of care required (either high or low level care) and then issue a written assessment that confirms this requirement.

Note that Southern Cross Care only provides low level care in the CACPs.

If CACPs are available in the area the ACAT will liaise with a service provider to initiate the CACP.

When a service provider accepts a new client a package of services is tailored to meet their needs, all in keeping with the ACAT assessment. The service provider will discuss the options available for meeting the care needs and a plan of care will be agreed upon. After the care plan is agreed the service provider will provide a copy of the agreed plan & commence delivery of service.

An ongoing fee is usually charged for the delivery of Community Aged Care Package services. Note however that with Southern Cross Care no one will be denied the service they need based on an inability to pay fees.

Government legislation limits the fees - for older people on the maximum basic rate of pension, fees must not exceed 17.5% of that pension. For those people on higher incomes additional fees may be payable, but these are currently limited to 50% of any income above the maximum pension rate.

Ongoing fees are paid on a fortnightly basis via direct-debit.

The fees only cover the costs of the agreed services.

• Contacting Southern Cross Care on 02 9632 3144.
• Your Doctor or local hospital
• The local Aged Care Assessment Team LINK
• The Australian Government Seniors website LINK
• The Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing community care website at LINK